Parameshwara Assures Siddaramaiah Will Complete Full Five-Year Term as Karnataka CM

Karnataka Home Minister G. Parameshwara dismissed swirling rumours of a chief ministerial change, asserting that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will complete his full five-year term without interruption. Addressing reporters in Tumakuru, Parameshwara labelled speculation of a "political revolution" as mere hearsay, emphasising party unity and Siddaramaiah's firm resolve. "Siddaramaiah is currently the chief minister and will remain as CM. We all feel that he will be the CM for five years," he stated, adding that the senior leader has pledged to abide by the Congress high command's decision. "There won't be any kranti (revolution); everything will be Shanti (peaceful)," Parameshwara quipped, underscoring a commitment to stability.

The remarks come against a backdrop of persistent internal murmurs within the Congress, fuelled by a perceived power-sharing arrangement following the party's May 2023 Assembly election victory. Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar had vied intensely for the top post, with the high command mediating a compromise that elevated Shivakumar to deputy. Unofficial reports at the time suggested a "rotational chief minister formula", under which Shivakumar would assume the role after 2.5 years—a timeline aligning with November 2025. However, neither the leader nor the party has confirmed such a deal, leaving the narrative open to factional interpretations.

Siddaramaiah himself reiterated his stance on Wednesday, declaring he has already served 2.5 years in his second term and intends to fulfil the remaining tenure. This follows renewed debate ignited by Congress MLA H.D. Ranganath from Kunigal and former Mandya MP L.R. Shivarame Gowda, who both predicted Shivakumar's ascension as chief minister, with Gowda specifying November. Such statements from party insiders have amplified tensions, highlighting underlying rivalries in a state where Congress holds a slim majority of 135 seats in the 224-member Assembly.

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Karnataka's political landscape remains fluid, with the Congress government facing scrutiny over governance, including recent controversies around land deals and infrastructure delays. Parameshwara's intervention signals an effort to quell dissent ahead of upcoming local elections, reinforcing the high command's authority under President Mallikarjun Kharge. Shivakumar, overseeing key portfolios like energy and urban development, has publicly downplayed ambitions, focusing on collective progress. As the party navigates these dynamics, maintaining cohesion will be crucial to counter the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party's aggressive outreach in the state.

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